Newport Regatta 27th May 2000
Local success at Newport
After doubts as to the weather, Newport Club's annual Hants and Dorest Regatta was held
at East Cowes.
The conditions were blustery, and the ladies sculling race had to be abandoned after
the competitors hit strong headwinds.
There were local successes. Ryde won the men's junior fours and gained second in
the men's junior-senior fours.
Shanklin had a second in the men's novice four and a third in the ladies novice fours.
The veterans race, that has a new trophy this year, donated by East Cowes Town
Council, was won by BTC.
Newport was just piped at the post by Coalporters for the second place. The
trophies and individual prizes were presented by the mayor of East Cowes, councillor
Margaret Webster.
Ryde men's junior A of M Coggins S Salter B Ade M Allsopp with C Salter (cox), gained
another win to add to the one from the previous weekend. They rowed well within
themselves down too the turn and then burst clear of the field to find themselves two and
half lengths clear.
They showed true grit at about 200m to go as the crew from BTC closed in on them, and
crossed then line in the fasted time of the day two lengths clear. The men's Junior
B crew of C Walker M Palin L Bennett N Bull with A Mailtand performed admirably in the
race given the rough conditions.
The junior-senior crew of G Walters C Jenkins R Adams I Hayden A Maitland (cox) rowed
well to come second. The men's senior saw the club enter two crews in the final.
The A squad of P Nevill T Young S Cook M Young just couldn't seem to find the right
gear coming home behind the B crew in sixth place.
The B crew of S Saunders R Page N Pike with M Singleton came fourth. The junior
ladies crew of L Austin J Cleaver A Bateman K Davidson and K Arnold (cox) finished fifth
position.
Ryde club also entered novice ladies and junior sculls the latter not competing due to
a note form his mum.
Shanklin Club experienced the trails and tribulations of coastal rowing at Newport.
Following mishaps and equipment failure for the scullers and newly promoted junior
men, it was the novice crews that saved the day. The novice men's crew of Luke
Gaches John Sabine Dan Tweitman Peter Adams and Nathalie Storey (cox) continued to make an
impression in thus status, enjoying an excellent row to finish second behind Poole.
The Crew is now optimistic for a well-deserved win within the next couple of weeks.
the novice ladies had a last-minute crew change but nevertheless coped reasonable
well with the conditions to finish third.
Sarah Morgan Emma Sabine Katherine Spaven Alexis Harvey and Gary Burch (cox) are now
finding their feet in this status and appreciating the pace required to win races.
With more experience, they should gain their win before the end of the season.
If anyone is interested in half killing themselves whilst freezing to death please
contact Ryde Rowing Club.
